Con Ed and Worker's Union Meet In Hopes Of Ending Lockout

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Consolidated Edison Inc. and the Utility Workers of America Union Local 1-2 are meeting again in an effort to end the almost 2-week-old lockout.

Contract negotiations between the utility and the union stopped July 1, several hours after the existing contract expired. The company told union workers to stay home until negotiators reach an agreement.

The Utility Workers Union of America, which includes over 50,000 members working in the electric, gas, water, and nuclear industries across the United States, filed a petition Wednesday with the New York Public Service Commission.

A union spokesman says the company cannot sustain the work long term with its smaller work force.

The company maintains, however, that its managers and the hired contractors are able to respond to all service and emergency calls.

Managers and out-of-state workers have replaced the union workers. Con Edison has until July 17th to respond.

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)